What other travelers are saying about Chikubushima Cruise
Helpful staff and pleasant trip to Chikubu island from Nagaham port. I was one of few foreign tourists but definitely learn some Japanese to communicate with the locals.
The round trip is roughly ¥3800 and make sure to bring cash. The ferry is every hour with the last returning to Nagahama at 16:30.
Worth the trip but definitely go with clear skies and calm weather. Worth spending 1 hour to Chikubu and returning after taking some photos of the beautiful scenery. Won't spoil any more pictures and must go yourself.
The lake cruise operates out of nagahama port and brought us to the chikubushima island, a beautiful island with multiple shrines.
One way boat ride is about 30 minutes and passengers who did the round trip like us get about 1 hr plus on the island which was sufficient.
The boat was modern and it was very clean and since it was not peak season, the boat had many seats. The seats are soft seats and comfortable.
Breath-taking experience. The Cruise itself is constantly showered by spectacular views (especially if you like water and unobstructed sky like me). You get to see wild birds and learn about the history of Chikubu Island from the ferry TV. The ferry is super clean, very new and have massive windows that maximizes the sight seeing experience from your seat.
I bought 2 cruise tickets for the end of 2024 via Klook. When we reached the port, we had been told that the cruise service had to cancel due to bad weather. The staff said they would refund me after 1 month of period. I asked her to give me a written letter to prove the cancellation and promise of the refund. The staff was not capable of doing that because she was not fluent in English-speaking, but she insisted would refund me. After that I contacted Klook to ask for the refund. Unfortunately, it was too difficult for me to even talk to the real person. And I was also didn't see any refund from the cruise company to me via Klook.
The cruise journey from the mainland to Chikubushima Island takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes each way. Once on the island, visitors typically spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the temples, shrines, and scenic walking paths. A complete round-trip experience, including boat travel and island exploration, usually takes around 3 to 4 hours total.
There are three main departure ports: Nagahama Port, Imazu Port, and Hikone Port. Nagahama Port is the most popular option, easily accessible via the JR Hokuriku Main Line from Kyoto (about 90 minutes). Hikone Port connects via the JR Biwako Line and offers convenient access for visitors staying in the southern Lake Biwa area. Your choice depends on your starting location and travel itinerary around the lake.
Cruise services primarily operate from March to November, when weather conditions on Lake Biwa are most favorable. Services are often reduced or completely suspended during winter months (December through February) due to cold weather, rough water conditions, and limited visibility. It's essential to check the cruise schedule in advance, especially if visiting during shoulder seasons in early spring or late autumn.
Chikubushima has significant accessibility challenges due to its terrain. The island features stone staircases and uneven pathways connecting the temple and shrine areas, with some sections requiring climbing to reach observation points and main halls. There are no elevators or wheelchair-accessible routes to the upper areas. Visitors with mobility limitations should be aware that exploring the island requires a moderate level of physical fitness and comfortable walking shoes are essential for all guests.
